GAME 2

A big first-half deficit proved too large to overcome for UCLA, as they were defeated by Mississippi State 72-54 in the second game of the 16th annual John R. Wooden Classic at Honda Center.

Shooting just 26 percent in the first 20 minutes, the Bruins trailed by a score of 40-19 by the time the horn had sounded for halftime. While UCLA played better in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 35-32, it was not enough to avoid the team's fifth-straight loss.

The losing streak is the longest for a Ben Howland-coached UCLA squad since his first season with the program in 2003-04 when they twice lost six games in a row. Since that time, the Bruins have gone on to three straight Final Four appearances (2006, 07, 08) and 25-plus win seasons each of the last four campaigns.

"We played very poorly today, especially in the first half," Howland said. "We have to get to get better in hurry as we move forward in the Pac-10 here in a few weeks. After the game I felt really bad because John Wooden is here watching his team play. It leaves a very bad taste in my mouth to have him watch us play the way we played today.'

UCLA (2-6) traditionally plays very well in the event honoring their former coach. They had won their last four appearances (including a 72-54 win over DePaul last season) before the defeat to Mississippi State. The Bruins are now 9-4 all-time in the doubleheader after suffering their worst defeat in the doubleheader.

Nobody likes to lose," Sophomore guard Malcolm Lee said. "We can also build from this I feel. We just need to take the bad, as well as the good and try to keep competing game by game. Hopefully, things will turn around here in a bit."

Mississippi State (7-2) saw its season get off to a disappointing start with a 88-74 loss in their opener at home against Rider. But they are starting to show why they were so highly-touted before the year began. Including their first-ever victory over UCLA, Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury is pleased how his team is starting to form.

"I'm awful proud of our team's effort," Stansbury said. "It’s a win on the road and traditionally a really good team in UCLA. We knew it was the best team we’ve played this year. We’ve had three games in a row that we’ve been pretty good. No question, coming here and not just getting the win, but getting the way we got it was probably the most surprising thing."

As they stifled the Bruins at one end of the court, the Bulldogs drained shot after shot on the other side from the onset. Ravern Johnson had the hot hand early and often, scoring 16 of his career-high 29 points in the first half. The junior guard hit 12-of-15 field goal attempts (5-of-8 from three-point range) on the afternoon.

"When you look at their stats, the one guy who killed us was Ravern Johnson," Howland said. "He played terrific for them. The kid had 29 points. He really tore us apart today. You have to give that kid credit. He had a great day today."

Jarvis Varnado was seemingly everywhere on the afternoon for the Bulldogs. The senior forward had 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks (one off his career-high) in the game. The national leader in blocks, Varnado has a chance to break the NCAA career record (535 held by Wojciech Mydra of Louisiana Tech - 1998-2002) if he continues at his current pace.

"Our defense was tremendous in the first half," Varnado said. "We rebounded well and started our breaks. Our defense just kept them tamed."

Said Howland of Varnado, "He really was a problem for us because he kept blocking our shot. It’s just not something you see all the time. He’ll end up being the greatest shot blocker in the history of college basketball in terms of numbers."

While UCLA is currently trying to get its way out of a funk, Stansbury feels it is just a matter of time before they come around and play the caliber of basketball they have continually showcased.

"There is so much tradition here with UCLA and Ben has done such a great job over the years," Stansbury said. "I know it’s a transition he is going through right now, but it’s very obvious Ben will get them going."

Senior guard Michael Roll led the Bruins with 17 points on the night, followed by Lee with 16. "It takes the air out of the balloon," said Roll of UCLA's first half performance. "We knew they were a three-point shooting team coming in. They had no conscious, just pulling up everywhere and whenever they wanted. When they make it, it just hurts. We just have to get back and keep plugging away."

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